River House Tea Room honored

The American Culinary Federation has recognized the River House Tea Room of Gruene as one of 16 restaurants nationwide to receive its annual Achievement of Excellence Awards.

It was the only restaurant in the area honored.

The River House was cited as one of two restaurants in the Casual Dining category. The other was the Pelican’s Reef in Cincinnati.

The news came as a big surprise to Carol Hill, certified executive chef, who will be traveling this weekend to Las Vegas to pick up the award. She gave thanks to her whole crew for their efforts in winning the award. “This was for the establishment,” she said. “It is just as much theirs.”

The ACF spotlights restaurants nationwide that “exemplify a commitment to excellence in their area,” the group said in a release announcing the winners. “Criteria for the award included being in operation for at least five consecutive years, nomination by an ACF chapter, member or individual in the food-service profession and being a recognized industry leader.”

Other Texas restaurants honored this year include InterContinental Houston in Houston for best hotel restaurant, Market Street in Plano for best chain operator or restaurant concept as well as Dessert Dreams of Irving for best pastry shop or bakery.

River House Tea Room is at 1617 New Braunfels St., New Braunfels. It is open 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday-Saturday and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday. Call (830) 608-0690.